Adelaide Strikers cricketer Chris Lynn achieved a massive milestone against his former team, Brisbane Heat, in the ongoing match of the BBL 2025-26 season. The right-handed batter became the first player to complete 4,000 runs in the history of the Big Bash League, reaching the milestone with a six.

Brisbane Heat suffered a disastrous start after being asked to bat, collapsing early at the Adelaide Oval. Their top order failed to cope with the pressure, leaving the side reeling at 21 for 5. The Adelaide Strikers bowlers put pressure on opposition batters and wrapped up the innings for just 121 in under 20 overs.

Chris Lynn Becomes First Batter to Reach 4,000 Runs in BBL History With a Six

Chris Lynn reached a historic milestone in the Big Bash League, becoming the first player to score 4,000 runs in the tournament. He came into the match needing just 14 runs to get there.

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Lynn launched Xavier Bartlett for a six over midwicket on the final ball of the fourth over. The powerful strike took him past the 4,000-run mark in his 300th T20 match. With that hit sailing into the crowd, Lynn etched his name into BBL history.

A BBL great! 👏 Chris Lynn is the first to 4,000 BBL RUNS – and he does it with a six! #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/V66sxynAPe

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 31, 2025

Most Runs in Big Bash League (BBL):

The Strikers completed the run chase with more than five overs to spare. Chris Lynn scored an unbeaten 79 runs off 41 balls, including six boundaries and as many sixes. Matthew Short (19 off 27) was the second-highest scorer for the team. Ollie Patterson, Xavier Bartlett and Thomas Balkin took one wicket each.

Brisbane Heat Bowled Out for 121 Runs in 19.4 Overs

Adelaide Strikers put Brisbane Heat under pressure right from the start. Brisbane slid to 21 for 5 inside six overs, losing key batters including Colin Munro, Lachlan Hearne, Matt Renshaw and Max Bryant. Liam Scott conceded just 12 runs and took two wickets in his four overs.

A brief counterattack came from Captain Xavier Bartlett, who hit a few big shots to lift the tempo, but his dismissal during the Power Surge ended any hopes of a recovery. The Strikers stayed ruthless, never allowing momentum to shift. Matthew Kuhnemann top-scored with an unbeaten 31.

Jamie Overton was the pick of the bowlers with an impressive spell of 3 for 19. He removed key batters, including Jack Wildermuth and Xavier Bartlett. Liam Scott and Hasan Ali picked up two wickets each.

Also read: Nikhil Chaudhary suffers HORRIFIC INJURY in BBL 2025-26, carried off the field

Travis Head revealed that the Australia national cricket team is planning to bring back some of the old Ashes traditions after the tensions and controversies of the last series in England.

The relations between Australia and England turned sour during the last Ashes series, especially after a controversial run-out of Jonny Bairstow by Alex Carey.

Travis Head Calls for Return of Iconic Ashes Beer Tradition After Heated Series

The Australian opener Travis Head has publicly called for the restoration of one of cricket’s most cherished customs: the post-Ashes series drinks. Travis Head said that this tradition is crucial for the “spirit of cricket.”

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With Australia having already retained the Ashes, leading the ongoing five-match Test series 3-1 against England, Head has shifted focus to mending off-field relations. The explosive batter has expressed his wish that both teams will enjoy a post-series drink together after the New Year’s Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

As quoted by The Australian Newspaper, Travis Head stated, “There’s definitely mutual respect. I get along with a couple of them really well. There are some really good relationships with both teams. I’m looking forward to having a beer with Ducky (Ben Duckett). So, yeah, it’d be a nice moment. It’s obviously nice going there knowing that we’ve won the series.”

The Incident That Threatened the Tradition: Bairstow’s Run-Out

The friendly tradition stopped during the 2023 Ashes in England, mainly because of the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow by Alex Carey at Lord’s. Bairstow, believing the ball was dead, wandered out of his crease while trying to avoid a delivery from Cameron Green, only to be dismissed by the Australian wicketkeeper at the home of cricket.

This dismissal ignited a fierce debate about the “spirit of cricket” and sportsmanship. The fallout was intense. Australian players were verbally abused by members in the Lord’s Long Room, and England head coach Brendon McCullum said that he couldn’t imagine a friendly drink after such drama.

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A History of Camaraderie: Memorable Ashes Drinking Sessions

The tradition of sharing a drink after a hard-fought Ashes series is legendary. There have been memorable stories of legendary players from Ian Botham and Dennis Lillee to Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen, setting aside rivalry to share a beer and stories in the dressing room.

It is a ritual that has symbolized the unique balance of fierce competition and deep respect between the players and rivals that defines the Ashes.

Why This Tradition Matters More Than Ever

In an era of non-stop media scrutiny and fan intensity on social media, these moments of informal connection are very important. The major reason is that several players from both England and Australia will possibly not be part of the next Ashes, making reviving this tradition really important.

However, the ongoing Ashes series has been far calmer, healthier, and more respectful compared to the fiery clashes of the past, with both teams focusing more on cricket than conflict. There has been debate only over a few snicko decisions and the Melbourne pitch for the fourth Test, which ended in two days.

Former Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Sarfaraz Khan to earn a spot in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) playing XI for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Ashwin stated that the five-time IPL champions should capitalize on Sarfaraz’s purple patch by giving him a regular role in the line-up.

Sarfaraz has been delivering consistent big performances across tournaments. He smashed a century and three half-centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which convinced CSK to sign him at his base price of Rs 75 lakh in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The batter carried that form into the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

CSK Should Look at Riding Sarfaraz Khan’s Purple Patch – Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin said that Sarfaraz Khan must start for the Chennai Super Kings during the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Ashwin stated that Sarfaraz has the ability to dominate spin bowling in the middle overs, especially through sweeps and slog sweeps.

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“100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT. That form transitioned seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49) followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes. It’s particularly impressive how he murders spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps,” Ashwin posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Avan kadhava thattala, idichi odachitu irukaan.’ ( He is not knocking on the door; he is breaking it open ). CSK should look at riding his purple patch by slotting him into the Playing XII surely? A genuine problem of plenty with the bat for the men in yellove this season! Can’t wait for IPL 2026!” he added.

100*(47), 52(40), 64(25), 73(22) in the SMAT.

That form’s transitioned seamlessly into the Hazare with scores of 55(49) followed by a blistering 157(75) today with 14 sixes. It’s particularly impressive how he murders spin in the middle overs with his sweeps and slog sweeps.… pic.twitter.com/MfBWAD6QH8

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 31, 2025

Sarfaraz Khan Joins CSK After Going Unsold, Eyes IPL Return After 2023

Sarfaraz Khan initially went unsold, but the Chennai Super Kings later signed him into their squad. If he gets a game, it will mark his first IPL appearance since playing for Delhi Capitals in 2023.

The Mumbai batter expressed gratitude to CSK for the opportunity, promising to give his best for the franchise. Sarfaraz is no stranger to the league, having previously represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, with his IPL debut coming for RCB back in 2015.

In the latest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Sarfaraz piled up 329 runs at a remarkable average of 82.25 and a strike rate of 204.34, including a century, making a strong case for a fresh IPL run.

Sarfaraz Khan Smashes Blistering 157 for Mumbai in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Sarfaraz Khan played a sensational knock for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, tearing apart Goa with a blistering 157 off just 75 balls in Jaipur. Walking in at No. 4 after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal, Sarfaraz completely dominated the Goa bowling attack.

The right-hander reached his century in just 56 balls and brought up 150 with a maximum early in the 42nd over. His explosive innings powered Mumbai to a massive total of 444 for 8 in 50 overs.

Sarfaraz also built key partnerships during the innings, including big stands with his brother Musheer Khan, captain Shardul Thakur and wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore. Musheer chipped in with 60, while Tamore added 53, but it was Sarfaraz’s extraordinary knock that defined the match.

Also read: ‘Red-hot’ Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad put selectors under pressure ahead of NZ series

The final ICC Test Batting Rankings of the year 2025 were finally released by the International Cricket Council on Wednesday (December 31), following a dramatic Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The results triggered significant movement at both the batting and bowling rankings, with Shubman Gill making a return to the top 10 batters and Harry Brook reaching his career-high rankings.

Latest ICC Test Rankings: Boxing Day Tests Trigger Major Shake-Up, Shubman Gill Returns To Top-10

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill has found himself among the Top 10 batters in the latest ICC Test Batting Rankings. Even though he featured in only one of the four innings during the recent home Test series against South Africa, Gill has jumped to the 10th spot with 730 rating points.

The right-handed batter’s rise comes after Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey slipped four places and dropped out of the elite list. Gill now finds himself firmly back among the world’s best and continues as India’s second-highest-ranked Test batter, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of him.

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Currently, Jaiswal is the 8th-ranked batter in the ICC Test Rankings with 750 rating points.

Harry Brook becomes the world’s No.2 Test batter

However, England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook made the biggest jump at the top of the batting rankings. On a difficult pitch at the MCG, Brook showed grit and patience, scoring 41 and 18* to make a big gain.

He climbed past three big stars, Kane Williamson, Travis Head, and Steve Smith, from the top five. Brook ends the year as the world’s second-ranked Test batter, trailing only his teammate Joe Root, who remained the No. 1 batter with 867 rating points in the updated ICC Test Rankings.

At the same time, Smith’s struggles with consistency have cost him dearly, pushing the Australian stars down to fifth place. Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel also jumped to the 9th spot, while Dinesh Chandimal (11th) and Rachin Ravindra (12th) have also made one spot’s gain each on the latest rankings.

Updated ICC Test Bowling Rankings: Jasprit Bumrah’s Dominance Continues

India’s dominance in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings continued, as Jasprit Bumrah retained his position as the world’s No. 1 Test bowler with 879 rating points. However, Australia’s Mitchell Starc and Pakistan’s Noman Ali are challenging Bumrah’s position at the top in the updated ICC Test Bowling Rankings.

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Starc’s sensational form in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 has propelled him to second place in the latest rankings with 843 rating points. Starc and Noman Ali both have the same points, but the Australian star has the best chance to outbid the Pakistan spinner and push Bumrah down in the chart when he turns up in the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney, starting on January 4.

Scott Boland also made a two-spot gain and jumped to the 7th spot, while Gus Atkinson shared the 13th spot with Ravindra Jadeja after making the jump of four spots, thanks to their Ashes show.

Ravindra Jadeja Remains No.1 Test All-Rounder

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja finished 2025 as the world’s number one Test all-rounder with 455 rating points. England captain Ben Stokes sits third in the latest ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings with 316 rating points.

Indian all-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel are tied at 11th with 202 rating points. Surprisingly, Atkinson jumped to the 8th spot, ranking among the top 10 all-rounders in the world in Test cricket. Cameron Green also jumped to the 17th spot in the rankings.

The dust got settled after the IPL 2026 auction, and squads are now theoretically locked in. However, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) camp. The franchise, which made headlines by shattering records to acquire Shreyas Iyer for a colossal INR 26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, now faces a potential nightmare: the unavailability of their captain and batting lynchpin.

Since the auction window is closed, the franchise must rely on the injury replacement protocol (signing unsold players) or the trading window to fill the void.

IPL 2026: 3 potential candidates Punjab Kings can target if Shreyas Iyer misses out

1) Mayank Agarwal

The most logical, albeit dramatic, solution to the Iyer problem is a reunion with former captain Mayank Agarwal. Having gone surprisingly unsold in the IPL 2026 auction – likely due to a high base price or a dip in T20 strike rate in the previous season – Agarwal remains one of the most experienced free agents available in the pool.

Agarwal’s recent domestic form for Karnataka has been a reminder of his class. In the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he amassed over 400 runs, showing he still possesses the hunger to dominate attacks. For PBKS, this makes perfect sense. Agarwal understands the franchise’s culture inside out. If Iyer is out, Punjab loses not just a batter, but a captain. Agarwal can seamlessly step into the leadership group (supporting a stand-in captain or taking the armband himself) and stabilize the top order. His ability to anchor the innings allows explosive batters like Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh to play freely, mimicking the role Iyer was destined to play.

2) Yash Dhull

If the Punjab side is looking for a direct tactical swap – a right-handed No. 3 who can construct an innings – Yash Dhull is the standout candidate from the unsold list. The 2022 U-19 World Cup-winning captain has often been viewed as a red-ball specialist, which led to him being overlooked in the auction, but his recent white-ball evolution suggests he is ready for the big stage.

Also READ: IPL 2026 – 3 players RCB can sign to replace Tim David if he misses out

Dhull has looked sharp in the 2025-26 domestic season. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he played the role of the accumulator to perfection for Delhi. He has tightened his technique against pace and improved his rotation of strike against spin in the middle overs. Signing Dhull allows PBKS to maintain their batting structure. He can slot directly into the number 3 position, offering the stability required to prevent collapses – a recurring issue for the franchise. He is a low-risk, high-potential investment who is desperate to prove his critics wrong.

3) Abhinav Manohar

If the Punjab management decides that they cannot replace Iyer’s stability, they might choose to double down on aggression. Enter Abhinav Manohar. It was a shock to many when the clean-striking Karnataka batter went unsold, especially given the premium placed on Indian finishers.

PBKS often struggles with stagnation in the middle overs (7-15), a phase Iyer usually dominates through smart placement. Manohar dominates it through brute force. His ability to hit sixes from ball one makes him a dangerous asset against spin. His recent exploits in the Maharaja Trophy, where he scored at a strike rate nearing 170, prove he is in touch. Bringing him in would require a batting order shuffle – perhaps pushing an all-rounder up to No. 3 – but it would give Punjab a terrifying lower-middle order. A finishing duo of Abhinav Manohar and Marcus Stoinis could potentially win matches from impossible situations, mitigating the loss of their captain’s volume of runs with sheer impact.

Also READ: IPL 2026 – 3 players RCB can sign to replace Josh Hazlewood if he misses out

Former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal remains one of the most influential spin bowlers of the modern era. At his peak, Ajmal was virtually unplayable, combining sharp turn, subtle variations, and relentless accuracy to dominate batters across formats. With over 400 international wickets to his name, Ajmal played a key role in Pakistan’s success in the late 2000s and early 2010s, redefining how spinners could control games even outside traditional subcontinental conditions.

The changing demands on spinners in modern cricket

In today’s game, spin bowling has evolved further. With flatter pitches, heavier bats, and aggressive batting mindsets, modern-day spinners are required to be tactically astute rather than merely reliant on turn. Flight, deception, changes of pace, and smart use of the crease have become essential weapons. As T20 and ODI cricket continue to dominate the calendar, spinners who can outthink batters are often the difference between winning and losing.

Speaking on The Champions Playbook Podcast, Ajmal shared his views on the art of spin bowling today and revealed his list of the top five spinners in modern-day cricket, praising those who blend intelligence with skill.

Saeed Ajmal reveals his top five spinners of the modern era

Ajmal began his list by naming Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, highlighting his immense value across formats. Jadeja’s ability to bowl economically, apply pressure, and chip in with crucial wickets has made him one of the most reliable spinners in world cricket. His sharp left-arm spin, combined with exceptional fielding and batting depth, places him among the most complete cricketers of the modern era.

At number two, Ajmal picked Kuldeep Yadav, reserving special praise for the Indian wrist-spinner’s white-ball prowess. Ajmal was unequivocal in his assessment, calling Kuldeep the best white-ball spinner currently in the game. He lauded Kuldeep’s sharp turn, ability to get the ball to drift in the air, and his commitment to giving the ball flight—qualities Ajmal described as the hallmark of intelligent bowling.

“The best white-ball spinner right now is Kuldeep Yadav. There’s no doubt about it, I really like Kuldeep. He spins the ball sharply and also gets it to break in the air. Even though Kuldeep is Indian, I want to see the best, and that’s why Kuldeep is at the top. Watch his videos; he puts a lot of effort into giving the ball flight. That’s what you call intelligent bowling – bowling that doesn’t come onto the bat easily, and Kuldeep does just that,” said Ajmal.

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England’s premier leg-spinner Adil Rashid was Ajmal’s next choice. The former Pakistan spinner admired Rashid’s variations and control, particularly his flipper, noting how effectively Rashid uses his body weight to generate deception. Rashid’s consistency in ICC tournaments and bilateral series has cemented his reputation as one of the finest limited-overs spinners in the world.

“He’s a good bowler, man, he bowls exceptionally well. His variations and flight are amazing. When he bowls a flipper, you can see how he uses his body weight with it,” added Ajmal

Ajmal completed his list by naming New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner and Australia’s Adam Zampa. He praised Santner for his clever pace variations and control, qualities that make him especially effective in pressure situations. On Zampa, Ajmal offered a more measured assessment, acknowledging his effectiveness and role in Australia’s white-ball success.

“Santner is good, he also has great pace variations. Zampa is alright,” Ajmal added further.

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Puducherry captain Aman Khan, who recently grabbed headlines after being picked by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the IPL 2026 auction, found himself in the spotlight for an entirely different reason during a Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 match. The encounter against Jharkhand, held in Ahmedabad, turned into a challenging day for the all-rounder as he ended up setting an unwanted record in men’s List A cricket.

Winning the toss, Puducherry opted to bowl first, hoping his side could exploit early conditions. However, the decision did not go according to plan as Jharkhand’s batters dominated proceedings from the outset, putting Puducherry under sustained pressure throughout the innings.

Jharkhand pile on the runs against Puducherry 

Jharkhand posted a massive total of 368 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to several standout batting performances. Utkarsh Singh anchored the innings with a solid 74, providing stability at the top. Skipper Kumar Kushagra led from the front, scoring a commanding 105 that included 10 boundaries and two sixes, showcasing both patience and power.

The real momentum shift came from Anukul Roy, who played a blistering unbeaten knock of 98 off just 53 balls. His innings featured seven fours and eight towering sixes, completely dismantling the Puducherry bowling attack in the death overs. Mohammad Kounain Quraishi also chipped in with a brisk 43 from 35 deliveries, ensuring Jharkhand finished with one of the highest totals of the tournament season.

Puducherry’s chase falls short

Facing a daunting target, Puducherry never truly looked in control of the chase. Jashwanth Shreeram offered some resistance with a fighting 60, while Neyan Shyam Kangayan contributed 47. Despite these efforts, wickets kept falling at regular intervals, and the required run rate quickly spiraled out of reach.

Ultimately, Puducherry were bowled out for 235, suffering a heavy defeat by 133 runs. While the loss itself was significant, the match will be remembered more for what unfolded during Jharkhand’s innings.

Record-breaking spell for Aman Khan

The focus of the cricketing world turned to Aman Khan after he finished with figures of 10 overs, 1 wicket, and 123 runs conceded. This spell is now officially the most expensive in the history of men’s List A cricket. The previous record was held by Arunachal Pradesh pacer Mibom Mosu, who had conceded 116 runs in nine overs against Bihar last month.

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Aman’s IPL journey so far

Despite this setback, Aman’s career trajectory remains noteworthy. Bought for INR 40 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction, he has already represented multiple franchises. After making his IPL debut with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2022, he featured for Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2023 before landing with Chennai for the upcoming season.

Across 11 IPL matches over two seasons, Aman has scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 110.57, including one half-century. His bowling opportunities in the league have been limited so far, with just one over bowled and no wickets to his name.

While the Vijay Hazare Trophy outing was one to forget, the coming months will be crucial for Aman Khan as he looks to regroup, refine his skills, and justify the faith shown in him ahead of IPL 2026.

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